Street lamps with wireless communication modules

ABSTRACT

A robust wireless communications network is deployed by retrofitting spatially distributed light sockets with integrated light/communicator modules. Each light/communicator module comprises an electric lamp and a communicator unit, the communicator unit having an RF transceiver, an antenna, and a Broadband processor for communicating with other nodes in the wireless communication network, using a suitable mesh network protocol. A power conversion unit is optionally provided in each integrated light/communicator module so that the individual components of the module may operate on the standard light socket power or selectably from other power sources.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/839,084; filed Apr. 3, 2020 by inventors YaronOren-Pines et al.; titled STREET LAMPS WITH INTEGRATEDLIGHT/COMMUNICATOR MODULES. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/839,084is a continuation and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/740,504; filed Jun. 16, 2015 by inventors Yaron Oren-Pines etal.; titled DEPLOYMENT OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK BYRETROFITTING SPATIALLY DISTRIBUTED ELECTRIC LAMPS WITH INTEGRATEDLIGHT/COMMUNICATOR MODULES; now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,623,096 onApr. 14, 2020. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/740,504 claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/015,017, filed Jun. 20,2014 by inventors Yaron Oren-Pines et al.; titled DEPLOYMENT OF AWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK BY RETROFITTING SPATIALLY DISTRIBUTEDELECTRIC LAMPS WITH INTEGRATED LIGHT/COMMUNICATOR MODULES; which isincorporated herein by reference for all intents and purposes.

FIELD

The embodiments disclosed generally relate to wireless communicationnetworks.

BACKGROUND

One type of wireless communication network is a wireless mesh network.The wireless mesh network is a network made up of Radio Frequency (RF)transceivers organized in a mesh topology. Wireless mesh networks mayconsist of mesh clients, mesh routers and mesh gateways. Clients can becomputer nodes, cell phones and other devices and a mesh router forwardstraffic to and from gateways which may or may not be connected to theInternet. A mesh network offers redundancy in that when one node isinoperative, other nodes can still communicate with each other eitherdirectly or through intermediate nodes.

An emergency communication network comprising mobile devices istypically of limited size and range. One example of such a network is aMobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET), which is a continuously self-configuring,infrastructure independent network of mobile devices connected withoutwires. To provide mission-critical communications, the emergencycommunication network should have an (i) infrastructure that isresilient, redundant, and highly available; (ii) communications shouldbe reliable; (iii) communications should be secure; and (iv)point-to-multipoint communication should be supported. Themission-critical communications may include both mission-critical voiceand mission critical data.

According to the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council(NPSTC), mission-critical voice communications should provide thefollowing features:

Direct or Talk Around: This mode of communications provides publicsafety with the ability to communicate unit-to-unit when out of range ofa wireless network OR when working in a confined area where directunit-to-unit communications is required.

Push-to-Talk (PTT): This is the standard form of public safety voicecommunications today—the speaker pushes a button on the radio andtransmits the voice message to other units. When they are done speakingthey release the Push-to-Talk switch and return to the listen mode ofoperation.

Full Duplex Voice Systems: This form of voice communications mimics thatin use today on cellular or commercial wireless networks where thenetworks are interconnected to the Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN).

Group Call: This method of voice communications provides communicationsfrom one-to-many members of a group and is of vital importance to thepublic safety community.

Talker Identification: This provides the ability for a user to identifywho is speaking at any given time and could be equated to caller IDavailable on most commercial cellular systems today.

Emergency Alerting: This indicates that a user has encountered alife-threatening condition and requires access to the system immediatelyand is, therefore, given the highest level or priority.

Audio Quality: This is a vital ingredient for mission critical voice.The listener must be able to understand without repetition, and canidentify the speaker, can detect stress in a speaker's voice, and beable to hear background sounds as well without interfering with theprime voice communications.

Mission-critical data or intelligence information delivered to emergencyresponders on a reliable, secure IP-based emergency communicationnetwork with high speed performance. In particular, it providesemergency responders with information that assists them in doing theirjobs. It allows mobile device users who are connected through theemergency communication network to wirelessly interrogate databases togather useful information and to send or receive critical information toother mobile device users in the form of data. When a control room isconnected to the emergency communication network, mission-criticalbroadband data may also be pro-actively sent or received by control roomstaff to emergency responders such as police officers, firefighters, andparamedics.

Wireless Internet access is commonly provided to mobile devices throughcellular services and localized WiFi hotspots. However, access to WiFiand cellular networks is not available at all locations and expandedcoverage to those locations may require the deployment of additionalCell Towers and raise environmental concerns. Likewise, access to alocalized WiFi hotspot is not available at all locations and even whenavailable at a current location of the mobile device, require continuousscanning for alternative WiFi hotspots and connections to another foundWiFi hotspot to accommodate movement of the mobile device.

A wireless communication network which is to be deployed over a largegeographical area generally requires a number of spatially distributednodes for relaying communications between distant nodes in the network.Where the deployment of such a wireless communication network, however,spans an area such as an entire city, the component and installationcosts of the network may be very large. Also, difficulties may arise infinding suitable locations for installing the nodes and procuring thenecessary permissions to install the nodes at those locations. Also,there is often public objection to typical wireless network deploymentswhich are bulky, unsightly, and/or have environmental concerns (e.g.,EMI, noise emission).

BRIEF SUMMARY

The embodiments are summarized by the claims that follow below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a prior art lighting device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a lighting device including anintegrated light/communicator module utilizing aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a communicator unit included inthe integrated light/communicator module utilizing aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a sensor unit included in theintegrated light/communicator module utilizing aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a power conversion unitinteracting with its sources of power and its recipients of convertedpower, as used in an integrated light/communicator module utilizingaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of the Software/Hardware (SW/HW)Architecture that is employed in, or interacts with, an integratedlight/communicator module utilizing aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a topology of a spatially distributed wirelesscommunication network implemented by integrated light/communicatormodules utilizing aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a topology of a spatially distributed wirelesscommunication network with an extended range RF transmission radius foran integrated light communicator module utilizing aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for deploying a spatiallydistributed wireless communication network by retrofitting spatiallydistributed electric lamps with integrated light/communicator modulesutilizing aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram of a street lamp including an integratedlight/communicator module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A wireless communication network is deployed by retrofitting spatiallydistributed electric lamps with integrated light/communicator modules.The electric lamps may be incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, LightEmitting Diode (LED), Compact Fluorescent (CFL), High Pressure Sodium(HPS), or any other electric lamp that is replaceable by being removedfrom and inserted into a light socket for electrical connection to apower source. The power source may be an Alternating Current (AC) powersource or a Direct Current (DC) power source. Each electric lamp may bea component of a stationary lighting device or a mobile lighting device.Examples of stationary lighting devices include street lamps, householdor office lamps, and night lights. An example of a mobile lightingdevice is a flashlight.

FIG. 1 illustrates a lighting device in which a standard electric lamp101 is insertable in a conventional manner into a light socket 102 forelectrical connection to a power line 103. In contrast, FIG. 2illustrates an integrated light/communicator module 200, of the presentinvention, that is insertable instead into the socket 102 for electricalconnection to the power line 103. Examples of the socket 102 include abase for a light bulb, a mounting hole for a street light fixture, and asingle contact, or double contact, or 4-pin contact, etc. for afluorescent light. As used herein, the term “socket” means any structureused to electrically connect the electric lamp 101 to the power line103. Although the integrated light/communicator module 200 is shown anddescribed as being separate from the socket 102 herein, it is to beappreciated that the integrated light/communicator module 200 mayinclude all or part of the socket 102 in various embodiments of thepresent invention. In embodiments where the integratedlight/communicator module 200 includes the socket 102, the phrase“inserting the integrated light/communicator module into the socket” isunderstood to mean electrically coupling the integratedlight/communicator module to the power line.

The integrated light/communicator module 200 is packaged so as toreplace the standard electric lamp 101, in form, fit, and lightingfunction. The light/communicator module 200 includes an interface 210,an electric lamp 220, and a communicator unit 230. Optionally includableis a power conversion unit 240 and sensor unit 250. The electric lamp220 is preferably an energy efficient electric lamp, such as an LED orCFL. Alternatively, the electric lamp 220 may be the standard electriclamp 101 or a functional equivalent thereof. The interface 210 providesboth mechanical and electrical connectivity to the socket 102. Theinterface 210 also provides physical support for the electric lamp 220,communicator unit 230, power conversion unit 240, and sensor unit 250.As an example, the interface 210 includes a printed circuit board uponwhich other components of the integrated light/communicator module 200may be mounted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the communicator unit 230 includes a Basebandprocessor 231, a memory 232, an RF transceiver 233, and an antenna 234.The memory 232 is preferably a low power, non-volatile memory whichstores program code to be executed by the Baseband processor 231. Theprogram code preferably includes Software Defined Radio (SDR) coding toconfigure the communicator unit 230 to communicate with other nodes ofthe wireless communication network, using a suitable network protocol,such as a mesh network protocol, through the RF transceiver 233. Inparticular, the program code provides instructions to the Basebandprocessor 231 to cause the integrated light/communicator module 200 tofunction as a node of the wireless communication network. Alternatively,multiple network protocols may be supported, so that the communicatorunit 230 is adapted to communicate with multiple networks havingdifferent protocols. The Baseband processor 231, the RF transceiver 233,and the antenna 234 are the core elements of the SDR. Usage of SDRallows flexibility in communication protocols and operational bands.While SDR is preferred, each integrated light/communicator module 200can also be designed and implemented with conventional radio componentsand hardware/software. The communicator unit 230 may also includefunctionality for a wireless modem and/or wireless router, if suchadditional functionality is advantageous for its role in the wirelesscommunication network. The communicator unit 230 may be implemented as aminiPCle module, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or a System Ona Chip (SoC). Although an RF transceiver is described herein, otherwireless technologies may alternatively, or additionally, be employedsuch as Free Space Optical (FSO) communication.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor unit 250 includes an applicationprocessor 251, a memory 252, one or more sensors 253, and circuitry 254for translating output of the sensor(s) 253 into suitable input for theapplication processor 251. The memory 252 is preferably a low power,non-volatile memory which stores program code to be executed by theapplication processor 251. The program code may perform variousfunctions using data provided by the sensor(s) 253 to control activitiesof other units of the integrated light/communicator module 200 based onsuch sensor data.

As examples, the sensor(s) 253 may include one or more of a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) sensor, a vibration sensor, a light sensor, amotion sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, video camerasensor, etc. Various combinations of these sensors could be used for amultitude of functions such as weather condition reporting, surveillancefunctions, video monitoring, traffic monitoring, and automated lightingcontrol. For example, some of the sensors 253 may be used to provideinformation to a electric lamp controller, implemented by theapplication processor 251, in the integrated light/communicator module200 to appropriately adjust the electric lamp settings for currentenvironmental conditions as programmed by the processor 251. As anotherexample, sensors may be provided to detect visibility issues (e.g.,fire, sand, etc.) to provide information to the light unit controller toadjust, as needed, the intensity and color of the illumination of theelectric lamp. In an emergency deployment scenario, the electric lamp220 could be remotely controlled to flash or utilize maritime signalingsequences to alert personnel within the vicinity of the integratedlight/communicator module 200. The lighting functionality operating inconjunction with the sensor(s) 253 and the application processor 251 canbe programmed to be “self-aware.” Self-aware is exemplified byfunctionality such as self-diagnostics, power management, bad nodeelimination, location, and emergency lighting. These functions may ormay not be dependent on the communications backbone status of thewireless communication network in which the integratedlight/communicator module 200 participates in.

As shown in FIG. 5, the power conversion unit 240 converts powerreceived from the socket 102 into suitable power levels for driving theelectric lamp 220, communicator unit 230, and sensor unit 250. Inaddition to the power line 103, optionally other power sources 104, suchas solar panels, may also provide power to the power conversion unit 240directly or through the socket 102. The power conversion unit 240 mayalso be equipped with an emergency battery 241, which is to be used inthe event of a power failure to the power conversion unit 240. Inparticular, the power conversion unit may be configured with hardware,software, or firmware which switches the power used by the module 200from the power line 103 to the other power sources 104 when available orbattery power when needed. To perform power conversion, the powerconversion unit 240 includes, as required, conventional power conversioncircuitry such as AC/DC converters and voltage dividers.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of the Software/Hardware (SW/HW)Architecture that is employed in, or interacts with, the integratedlight/communicator module 200. Although previously described as beingtwo different processors, 231 and 251, a single Central Processing Unit(CPU) 500 preferably performs previously described tasks for the twoprocessors, 231 and 251. Likewise, although previously described asbeing two different memories, 232 and 252, preferably a system memory501 preferably stores the program codes previously described as beingstored in memories 232 and 252. In addition to storing program code forthe processor 500, the memory 501 also stores critical system parametersand SDR parameters.

At the software application layer 510, the CPU 500 executes program codestored in the system memory 501 for communicating with other networknodes using a Network Protocol, for executing various Applicationsdescribed herein, for running the Network Management System (NMS), forrunning a Power Management Unit (PMU) associated with the PowerConversion Unit 240 to provide intelligence to the Power Conversion Unit240 as described herein, and for running a Light Controller as describedherein.

At the physical layer 520, the CPU 500 interacts with, or implementsfunctions of, circuit(s) which receive signals from the RF transceiver233 to perform signal processing and Baseband Codec functions. At thephysical layer 530, the CPU 500 interacts with, or implements functionsof, circuit(s) which receive signals from, or interact with, theelectric lamp 220, the power line 103, the other power sources 104(including the emergency battery), and sensor(s) 253 to perform aselectric lamp driving, voltage/current regulating, Voltage Reference(VREF) and voltage biasing (BIAS), Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control,Under Voltage/Over Voltage (UV/OV) detection, and temperature detection.

The functionality of the integrated light/communicator module 200 can bemodified or upgraded through software changes affected by commands sentover the wireless communication network or via signaling over the powerline 103. This programmable functionality can also be used to modify theSDR as required to enhance network performance or perform within futureregulatory or security requirements.

As an example of a wireless communication network, a wireless meshnetwork providing multi-hop communications is employed to implement aMANET that is self-configuring and self-managing. The Baseband processor231 performs all functions necessary to serve as a relay node in thewireless communication network. Additional interface circuitry (notshown) may be provided on some of the integrated light/communicatormodules to facilitate gateway connections (e.g., LTE, 802.11a/b/n, EVDO,etc.) to other network segments or services. Additional interfacecircuitry (not shown) may also be provided on some or all of theintegrated light/communicator modules to facilitate an access point or arouter or a relay. When deploying the wireless communication network,modules with this additional interface circuitry may be provided everyso many hops, so that all nodes of the network may establish connectionsto those other network segments and/or services.

FIG. 7 shows, as a simple example, the topology of a spatiallydistributed mesh network 7000 which is implemented by tenlight/communicator (L/C) modules 700 through 709. Each L/C module servesas a node of the mesh network 7000. Each L/C module, in this example,has a RF transmission radius so that it can communicate with its nearestneighboring L/C modules as shown in FIG. 7. Accordingly, as isillustrated by the exemplary mesh network 7000 shown in FIG. 7, each L/Cmodule can have multiple mesh network wireless connections with multiplepoints of communication to a plurality of L/C modules. Redundantconnections are provided so that a failure of a single or multiple nodesdoes not compromise the integrity of mesh network 7000. For example, ifL/C modules 702, 703, and 704 fail, Wi-Fi devices 710 would still beable to connect to the internet 714 through L/C modules 705, 707, and709, or alternately through L/C modules 705, 706, 708, and 709. As shownin FIG. 7, the mesh network 7000 can have multiple (redundant)connections to the internet 714. The L/C module 709 can make a directconnection to the internet 714. The L/C module 708 can make a connectionto the internet 714 through router 713. The L/C module 708 can make aconnection to the internet 714 through router 712. Accordingly, thepossible routing combinations available with any given single ormultiple module/node failure are numerous, thus making the mesh network7000 very robust.

Although not shown for clarity, multiple instances of any of the meshnetwork peripheral devices 710 through 716 can connect to any of the L/Cmodules in the mesh network 7000. As shown in FIG. 7, Wi-Fi devices 710can make bi-directional point to point Wi-Fi connections directly withthe L/C modules for two-way (bi-directional) wireless communications.Alternately, Wi-Fi devices 715 can connect to the mesh network 7000 viaa Wi-Fi router 712 for two-way (bi-directional) wireless communications.As shown in FIG. 7, the Wi-Fi devices 715 can make a bi-directionalpoint to point Wi-Fi connections to the Wi-Fi router 712. The Wi-Firouter 712 can make a bi-directional point to point Wi-Fi connection toan L/C module 707 to provide for two-way (bi-directional) wirelesscommunications between Wi-Fi devices 715 and the mesh network 7000.

As shown in FIG. 7, wired connections can also be made to the meshnetwork 7000. A Local Area Network (LAN) connection can be establisheddirectly to an L/C module such as shown between L/C module 708 and therouter 713 through a wired connection where additional bandwidth orsecurity is required. Network peripheral devices 716 (e.g., computers,servers, and LAN routers) can make a wired connection to the router 713.The router 713 can make a wired connection to the L/C module 708 toprovide for two-way (e.g., bi-directional) communications betweennetwork peripheral devices 716 and the mesh network 7000. The meshnetwork 7000 can directly have a wired connection to the internet 714.The L/C module 709 has a wired connection to the internet 714 to providefor two-way (bi-directional) communications between the mesh network7000 and the internet 714.

As shown in FIG. 7, emergency communications devices 711 can directlymake two-way radio connections with the L/C modules (e.g., L/C modules705, 706 and 707) in the mesh network 7000 to provide for two-way (e.g.,bidirectional) communications between the mesh network and the emergencycommunication devices. The emergency communications devices 711communicate directly with local L/C modules within range. The meshnetwork 7000 can extend the communication coverage of the emergencycommunications devices 711 to other emergency communication deviceslocated elsewhere over the reach of the L/C modules in the entire meshnetwork. A direct wired connection between an LC module and the internet(e.g., L/C module 709 and the internet 714) can extend the communicationcoverage of emergency communications devices 711 to that over theInternet 714, beyond the reach of the L/C modules in the mesh network7000.

To facilitate communications between nodes of the mesh network 7000, aspart of a wireless communication network, a unique identification codeis assigned to each integrated light/communicator module 200. Thebaseband processor 231 of the communicator unit 230 shown in FIGS. 2-3can be assigned a unique identification code.

In addition to integrated light/communicator modules, other nodes of thewireless communication network may comprise mobile devices and/orstationary devices that have been adapted with RF transceivers andcommunicator modules to communicate on the wireless communicationnetwork. Examples of such mobile devices include walkie-talkies, cellphones, data cards, laptops, etc. As an example, MaxTech Networks Ltd.is a provider of technology that facilitates adaptation of standardmobile devices to perform as nodes in a wireless mesh network. Whereassuch adapters are commonly implemented as hardware attachments to themobile devices, the Baseband Processor of the integratedlight/communicator module implements the node communication functions inSDR.

Although the example described in reference to FIG. 7 assumes that theRF transmission radius for each integrated light/communicator moduleonly extends to an immediately adjacent light/communicator module, inother examples, the RF transmission radius may extend beyond just theimmediately adjacent integrated light/communicator module. As shown inFIG. 8, the RF transmission radius 801 for an integratedlight/communicator module identified as node N1 extends beyond itsimmediately adjacent light/communicator modules identified as nodes N0,N2, N5, N6, and N7, to also cover non-adjacent light communicatormodules identified as nodes N3 and N8.

One example of a wireless communication network that may be deployed byretrofitting spatially distributed electric lamps with integratedlight/communicator modules 200 is an emergency communication networkproviding mission-critical communications. Another example is anon-emergency communication network providing wireless private, publicor commercial access, Internet access, VOIP, or a cellular network node.Still another example is a hybrid emergency/non-emergency communicationnetwork providing both mission-critical communications and wirelessnon-emergency access.

As may be readily appreciated, a network backbone for a wirelesscommunication network may be deployed by retrofitting a grid of streetlamps that are spatially distributed over a populated geographical areawith integrated light/communicator modules 200. Each of the deployedintegrated light/communicator modules 200 may then be used as an accesspoint to the network backbone by properly adapted or equipped mobileand/or stationary devices. The electric lamp in this example ispreferably a Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamp, which is more energyefficient than a conventionally used High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamp.

As yet another application example, lighting devices may be spatiallydistributed throughout a commercial building or a private residence. Inthis case, the integrated light/communicator module 200 may include alighting technology such as an incandescent bulb or fluorescent tube.Further, a more energy lighting technology may be provided in suchmodules, such as LED.

As one example for constructing the integrated light/communicator module200, a System-on-Chip (SoC) approach may be used for large volumeproduction. In this approach, circuitry for the communicator unit 230,power conversion unit 240, sensor unit 250, and interface 210 may befabricated on a silicon chip. A housing is placed around the SoC andother components of the integrated light/communicator module 200 toprotect them from the environment and/or unauthorized tampering.Security features are preferably provided so that any physical attack tothe chip will trigger internal circuits to destroy the chip. Theintegrated light/communicator module 200 is preferably designed with abuilt-in security manager so that any unauthorized disassembly of themodule's housing before disarming the security manager will cause thesystem to self-destruct.

As an alternative embodiment, a System-on-Board (SoB) approach may beused for small volume production. In this embodiment, various electricalcomponents implementing the integrated light/communicator module 200 aresoldered on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Data Communication may beconnected to the PCB in a Module that is plugged into the PCB as adaughter board via a standard interface such as PCI, USB, etc., or DataCommunication may be provided in SDR which is programmed into amicrocontroller chip mounted on the PCB.

Optional features include the ability to remotely control both thelighting and data communication of the integrated light/communicatormodule 200 from a Network Management System (NMS).

FIG. 10 illustrates a street lamp 1000 with an integratedlighting/communicator module 1001. The integrated lighting/communicatormodule 1001 includes a light emitting diode (LED) lamp 1004. The LEDlamp 1004 is more energy efficient than a conventionally used highpressure sodium (HPS) lamp. The integrated lighting/communicator module1001 couples to a socket 1006 of a pole 1008 supporting the lamp head1010 over a street 1012. The pole 1008 of the street lamp 1000 iscoupled to a surface of a material 1014 adjacent the street 1012 by aplurality of fasteners 1016, such as bolts or studs with nuts. Each ofthe nodes shown in the FIG. 8 and each L/C module shown in FIG. 7 may bean instantiation outdoors around a street of the street lamp 1000 withthe integrated lighting/communicator module 1001.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for deploying a spatially distributedwireless communication network by retrofitting spatially distributedelectric lamps with integrated light/communicator modules. In block 901,a standard electric lamp is removed from a light socket and in block902, the integrated light/communicator module 200 is inserted in itsstead. In block 903, a daylight sensor or an on-off switch to theelectric lamp is disabled, if necessary, so that power is available tothe integrated light/communicator module 200 continuously. This may beas simple as covering the existing daylight sensor. The on-off functionof the replacement light/communicator module 200 is preferablyself-contained within the module 200 and can be controlled by a lightsensor, timer, or via commands from the wireless network. In 904,auxiliary components such as a solar panel, battery, antenna, sensors,or passive components are connected to the light/communicator module 200via terminals or connectors on the module, if required to do so. Theintegrated light/communicator module 200, once properly installed in thelight socket, communicates with other integrated light/communicatormodules within its RF transmission radius to join an existing wirelesscommunication network or to establish a new one. The method thencontinues by jumping back to block 901 to loop through blocks 901-904 todeploy another integrated light/communicator module 200 in theestablished network.

Although the various aspects of the disclosed embodiments have beendescribed with respect to the above examples, it will be understood thatthe embodiments are entitled to full protection within the full scope ofthe appended claims. In particular, although certain specific examplesare described herein, the claimed scope of the disclosed embodiments isnot to be limited to these specific examples. For example, disclosedaspects may also be used in wired communications, such as in the form offiber repeaters, relays, switches, signal boosters, Ethernet, andvarious coax/twisted pair wires using various types of communicationprotocols. As another example, disclosed aspects may be used to supportboth wireless and wired communications, such as Fiber DAS which carriescommunications over a Fiber Optic Cable. As yet another example,disclosed aspects may be used in a Distributed Antenna System, LTE nodeand network, WiMax Node, Relay Node, or any type of communicationprotocol, proprietary or public.

1. A method for deploying a spatially distributed wireless communicationnetwork, the method comprising: replacing each of a plurality ofelectric lamps in a corresponding plurality of light sockets with anintegrated light/communicator module that is adapted to replace thereplaced electric lamp in form, fit, and lighting function, and that isadapted to wirelessly communicate with other integratedlight/communicator modules by using a wireless communication networkprotocol.
 2. The method as in claim 1 wherein the wireless communicationnetwork protocol is a wireless mesh network protocol thatself-adaptively configures, and routes communications through, thespatially distributed wireless communication network.
 3. A method foradding a node to a wireless communication network, the methodcomprising: replacing a electric lamp in a light socket with anintegrated light/communicator module that is adapted to replace theelectric lamp in form, fit, and lighting function, and adapted towirelessly communicate with proximate nodes in the wirelesscommunication network. 4-9. (canceled)
 10. A method of manufacturing anintegrated light/communicator module, the method comprising: mounting areplacement electric lamp on an interface, the interface adapted to beinserted in a light socket; mounting a communicator unit on theinterface, the communicator unit including a radio frequency (RF)transceiver and a processor programmed to cooperatively establish awireless communication network including other integratedlight/communicator modules by communicating with the other integratedlight/communicator modules.